Latest news with #GernotDöllner
Courier-Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Carmakers' massive U-turn on EVs
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Multiple automotive companies are scaling back their plans to produce and sell electric vehicles as demand for performance EVs tapers. Ferrari is the latest luxury manufacturer to pull the plug on their second all-electric model. According to Reuters, the luxury car manufacturer has pushed back plans for a second all-electric model from a planned 2026 launch to a new 2028 date due to a lack of demand for high-performance luxury EVs. According to sources close to Reuters, low market interest would also give Ferrari more time to further develop in-house technology for its second electric vehicle. However, soft demand remained the main reason for the delay. Instead, Ferrari will continue to reveal its first electric vehicle in October 2025, following the launch of several hybrid models, including the 296 GTB/GTS in 2021 and the SF90 Stradale in 2019. Ferrari has pushed back plans for its next EV. MORE: Insane features of 'preposterous' new SUV While details of the second electric Ferrari model have yet to be confirmed, Ferrari joins other European brands in delaying planned launches of their electric vehicles in recent times. Ferrari's Italian competitor, Lamborghini, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, announced in December that it will launch its first electric model in 2029, rather than 2028. Additionally, Germany's Porsche has scaled back its plans for electric vehicles due to lower sales of its electric Macan SUV and Taycan models. Audi has also announced it will postpone its plans to exclusively build electric cars from 2032, and instead opt to develop a new generation of combustion and hybrid vehicles to align with global market dynamics. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY The car maker planned to introduce its final new petrol-powered model line in 2026, with the end of the vehicle's lifespan in 2032 seeing Audi sell only battery electric vehicles from then onwards. The original EV-only date was announced back in 2021, with the German carmaker insisting it would only build zero-emission vehicles for all global markets except China. And in a recent update, company executives clarified that while electric cars remain a core part of Audi's strategy, the company will no longer limit itself to launching only electric models after 2026. Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron CEO Gernot Döllner said that the company is launching a completely new line-up of internal combustion engines (ICEs) and hybrid vehicles, allowing up to 10 years to see how the market develops. 'We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past,' he said. 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron MORE: Tesla rival's 'quiet statement' shades Elon Audi isn't alone with this change either. Volvo has extended ICE deadlines both globally and in Australia, while Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also shying away from an all-electric future anytime soon. This decision comes amid broader turbulence in the EV sector. Demand for electric cars has cooled in several markets due to high costs, gaps in charging infrastructure, and consumer hesitation. Data from the Australian Automobile Association revealed just 17,914 EVs were sold in the first three months of 2025 or just over 6 per cent of all vehicle sales in the country. Demand for EVs has cooled. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper The AAA quarterly vehicle report showed the last time EV sales were at that level was in 2023 when 17,396 cars were sold during the same period. The 2025 data also shows EVs have dropped market share when compared to the final three months of 2024 – 21,331 EVs were sold in the last quarter of 2024 to make up 7.42 per cent of the country's vehicle sales. 2025 Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Volkswagen ID. 4 Pro. Picture: Mark Bean MORE: Tesla reveals major 'Robotaxi' move That represents a drop of 1.12 per cent in market share quarter to quarter. Additionally, China's rapid development of high-quality electric vehicles have posed a significant challenge to US and European car manufacturers in Australia. Chinese EV brands, such as BYD and MG, have already made their mark in Australia, filling most of the top-selling positions after Tesla. The key driver behind this is the aggressive pricing that is pushing Chinese EV makers to the forefront of consumers' minds. 2025 Tesla Model Y. Picture: Mark Bean BYD is continuing to smash Tesla in Australia, with sales of Elon Musk's car company down 48.2 per cent compared to this time last year. Australian sales data published by the EV Council shows Tesla sold 3897 vehicles last month, more than seven times the 500 cars it delivered in April. It also just about doubles the number of cars sold by Tesla this year, to 6974. However, the company is experiencing a gradual decline in sales due to slow performance in the early months of 2025, attributed to a shortage of Model Y stock. Originally published as Carmakers' massive U-turn on EVsstrategies
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Best-selling car brand AXES plans to turn all EV as it ditches 2033 deadline & vows to keep making petrol motors
Hybrids will be prioritised instead U-TURN Best-selling car brand AXES plans to turn all EV as it ditches 2033 deadline & vows to keep making petrol motors Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR car brand has axed its plans to become all electric by 2033, with a deadline no longer in sight to move away from petrol motors. Previous plans for the company were to end development of internal combustion engines next year, with £23.9 billion worth of investment. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Audi Q8 e-tron was the brand's new electric flagship which started production in 2022 Credit: AFP There is now no fixed plan for German car manufacturer, Audi, that initially hinted at launching no new ICE cars from 2026. CEO Gernot Döllner told Autocar he was not involved in communicating the end date, and that decisions were taken by previous management. Speaking about the decision to revoke the deadline, Döllner suggested his belief in "flexibility" was behind it. This includes flexibility around Audi's high performance RS models, with potential for them to become gas-powered. "Audi is launching from 2024-2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop. "We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past." The manufacturer is expected to see a greater focus on developing hybrid technology, which they see as a bridge to EVs. New short-term plans therefore include a new lineup of gas-powered vehicles to be rolled out next year. Döllner also confirmed development of all Volkswagen Group hardware and software architectures would be lead by Audi, hoping for larger models in the future. On top of that, the next-generation SSP platform in development would see the Group move to "software-defined" vehicles to hit the market for the first time in late 2027 or 2028. Audi launches NEW superfast charging hybrid with eye-watering price Audi will still direct R&D money towards it's all-electric vehicle strategy. There is an all-electric A3-sized model reported to be in development for 2026. However, complete abandonment of gas-powered Audis is not expected any time soon. It is also unlikely Audi would create its own version of an entry-level electric car as has been done by Volkswagen, Skoda or Cupra, Döllner revealed. The Sun have contacted Audi for comment about the change in plans.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Best-selling car brand AXES plans to turn all EV as it ditches 2033 deadline & vows to keep making petrol motors
A MAJOR car brand has axed its plans to become all electric by 2033, with a deadline no longer in sight to move away from petrol motors. Previous plans for the company were to end development of internal combustion engines next year, with £23.9 billion worth of investment. 1 There is now no fixed plan for German car manufacturer, Audi, that initially hinted at launching no new ICE cars from 2026. CEO Gernot Döllner told Autocar he was not involved in communicating the end date, and that decisions were taken by previous management. Speaking about the decision to revoke the deadline, Döllner suggested his belief in "flexibility" was behind it. This includes flexibility around Audi's high performance RS models, with potential for them to become gas-powered. " Audi is launching from 2024-2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop. "We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past." The manufacturer is expected to see a greater focus on developing hybrid technology, which they see as a bridge to EVs. New short-term plans therefore include a new lineup of gas-powered vehicles to be rolled out next year. Döllner also confirmed development of all Volkswagen Group hardware and software architectures would be lead by Audi, hoping for larger models in the future. On top of that, the next-generation SSP platform in development would see the Group move to "software-defined" vehicles to hit the market for the first time in late 2027 or 2028. Audi launches NEW superfast charging hybrid with eye-watering price Audi will still direct R&D money towards it's all-electric vehicle strategy. There is an all-electric A3-sized model reported to be in development for 2026. However, complete abandonment of gas-powered Audis is not expected any time soon. It is also unlikely Audi would create its own version of an entry-level electric car as has been done by Volkswagen, Skoda or Cupra, Döllner revealed. The Sun have contacted Audi for comment about the change in plans.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Best-selling car brand AXES plans to turn all EV as it ditches 2033 deadline & vows to keep making petrol motors
A MAJOR car brand has axed its plans to become all electric by 2033, with a deadline no longer in sight to move away from petrol motors. Previous plans for the company were to 1 The Audi Q8 e-tron was the brand's new electric flagship which started production in 2022 Credit: AFP There is now no fixed plan for German car manufacturer, CEO Gernot Döllner told Speaking about the decision to revoke the deadline, Döllner suggested his belief in "flexibility" was behind it. This includes flexibility around Audi's high performance RS models, with potential for them to become gas-powered. Read More Motors News " "We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past." The manufacturer is expected to see a greater focus on developing New short-term plans therefore include a new lineup of gas-powered vehicles to be rolled out next year. Most read in Motors Döllner also confirmed development of all Volkswagen Group hardware and software architectures would be lead by Audi, hoping for larger models in the future. On top of that, the next-generation SSP platform in development would see the Group move to Audi launches NEW superfast charging hybrid with eye-watering price Audi will still direct R&D money towards it's all-electric vehicle strategy. There is an all-electric However, complete abandonment of gas-powered Audis is not expected any time soon. It is also unlikely Audi would create its own version of an entry-level electric car as has been done by The Sun have contacted Audi for comment about the change in plans.
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
7 Brands Spark End of the ‘EV Deadline' Era
A few years back, several automakers were headstrong about maintaining strict internal combustion engine (ICE) phaseout targets before switching to exclusively electric lineups. Electric vehicle (EV) switchover government mandates in China, Europe, and parts of the U.S. were the primary catalyst behind this movement, but the landscape is shifting. Congress recently voted to repeal California's waiver allowing it to set more stringent emissions rules, ultimately upending the state's ability to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, and federal EV subsidies are increasingly in question. Additionally, EV adoption is increasing globally, but hasn't grown as quickly in major markets like the U.S. and Europe. As a result, several automakers have recently slowed their EV investment pace. Learn more about which manufacturers are shifting their EV strategy, how their plans are changing, some of their new timelines, and more below. Audi is one of the most recent automakers to announce changes to its EV plans. Last week, Audi announced it's removing its all-EV 2033 deadline to invest more into hybrid tech. Audi fans can expect the manufacturer to roll out a new lineup of gas-powered vehicles, including hybrids, by next year. The company's CEO, Gernot Döllner, predicts Audi will continue making ICE vehicles past 2033. However, Europe is maintaining its 2035 ban on new gas-powered car sales, increasing the likelihood of Audi implementing more significant lineup changes just before that deadline. In February, Mercedes-Benz delayed its EV sales expectations. Initially, the company forecast that electrified sales, including hybrids, would account for up to 50% of its total by 2025. Now, Mercedes-Benz expects to hit that 50% target by 2030. The automaker's CEO, Ola Kaellenius, said: "It is almost like we will have a new [ICE] lineup in 2027 that will take us well into the 2030s," Reuters reports. Aston Martin had planned to launch its first EV in 2025 but pushed the target to 2026 in February 2024. However, in April 2024, Aston Martin's executive chair, Lawrence Stroll, said: "We are going to invest much more heavily in our PHEV program to be a bridge between full combustion and full electric," according to InsideEVs. Stroll added that the brand's first EV would be pushed back another year to 2027 at the earliest. While General Motors maintains its goal of switching to an exclusively electric lineup by 2035, the company's CEO, Mary Barra, said the automaker will be "guided by the consumer." General Motors nearly doubled its EV sales year over year during Q1 2025 to surpass Ford as the fastest-growing domestic electric brand. Still, the Detroit Free Press reports that General Motors' Orion assembly plant in Lake Orion, Michigan, may no longer exclusively produce fully electric vehicles after its $4 billion retooling and expansion. General Motors initially planned to assemble the Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV later this year, showing how market success isn't stopping manufacturers from overinvesting in the segment. Last year, Ford announced a recalibration of its EV strategy that could cost the company $1.9 billion in expenses and write-downs. The shift primarily consisted of canceling plans for an all-electric three-row SUV that had already been delayed. Ford added that it would postpone its next-generation electric pickup and reduce EV-related capital expenditures to 30% of its annual budget. Now, Ford is working to match the cost structure of leading Chinese competitors by developing an affordable EV platform. In 2019, ex-Cadillac president Steve Carlisle said: "The majority, if not all, Cadillacs will be electric by 2030," according to Edmunds. Two years later, then-global Vice President of Cadillac, Rory Harvey, added: "We will be leaving this decade as an EV brand, as things stand today, which means that we will not be selling ICE vehicles by 2030." In 2024, Cadillac spokesperson Mike Albano changed the company's tune, describing its previously stated EV switchover goals as a "Mission statement, if you will. The fact that we refreshed our ICE portfolio should tell you that we knew the transition was going to be slow, and the transition will be led by the customer." Mazda is currently establishing a portfolio balancing internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and all-electric models, adapting to market demand. The automaker's current SKYACTIV-Z initiative aims to create a gas-powered engine that can combust with leaner fuel mixtures, resulting in better fuel economy, lower emissions, heightened performance, greater reliability, and simplified maintenance. SKYACTIV-Z tech also converts heat normally escaping from an engine into power for improved thermal engine efficiency. Mazda's SKYACTIV-Z is scheduled to debut in the CX-5's next generation in 2027. Automakers like Volvo and Volkswagen are also adjusting their approach to EV adoption, reflecting how the rigid mentality of previous EV switchover plans is more reminiscent of the early 2020s and less realistic, given that market conditions vary with factors such as demand. While 2035 remains a significant date in the eyes of many automakers for ramping up EV offerings, especially in markets like Europe, drivers can expect expanded ICE and hybrid options in the meantime from many of their favorite manufacturers. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
